Do I need a partner to join a class?

 

You don't need a partner to join any of our classes. During the Monday Beginners Courses people stay mostly with their dance partners, but we ask some of our more advanced students to join and partner. In all the other courses and classes we change partners frequently so everyone will get the chance to practice with each other.

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I have two left feet.  What shall I do?

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At London Dance Studio we are experts in changing two left feet for the correct pair!

Whether you'd like to join one of our beginner courses or whether you would prefer to learn dancing at a one-to-one private lesson, London Dance Studio has the solution for you.​

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What clothes and shoes shall I wear?

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You can wear anything that is comfortable and doesn't restrict your movements. Most people wear a type of office or leisure outfit. Shoes are also important. Office shoes for men/leaders and low to medium heel type shoes, ballet pumps or jazz shoes with full sole suede sole for women/followers are a good start.

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Where do I buy dance shoes and how to choose?

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First of all dedicated Ballroom & Latin shoes have suede soles. Don't forget to buy a dance shoe brush with your shoes to keep the sole rough and clean.

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It's important that you first try some styles of Ballroom & Latin dance shoes to see how they feel and look on your feet when walking and dancing, and consider your usual dance outfit. The heel height is essential for what dance style you can use your shoes for, see below. Your shoes should be comfortable enough to allow you many joyful and painfree hours of dancing. Make sure you try shoes with your inlays or ball of the foot gel cushions. If you order online, look at the delivery times and the terms for returns.

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Regarding the size begin a half size up from your street shoe size. For a tighter fit, begin at street shoe size. Carefully consider methods to slightly widen real leather shoes. Some dance shoes have a 'wide fit' (search for it) or have different width options. Keep in mind that leather becomes slightly wider over time, whereas faux leather, sometimes known as leatherette, or PU won't get wider and might crack at some point.

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The heel height for Latin and ballroom dance shoes ranges from 1/2" heel to 1.5" for men/leaders and from 1.25" to 3" for ladies/followers. Ladies/followers are being recommended to get shoes that are not higher than 1.5" or maximum 2" if they want to use them for Ballroom & Latin and for social dancing. Avoid soft rubber sole trainers as these tend to stick to the floor which could hurt your knees.​

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​ORDER ONLINE

 

If you order online, look at the delivery times and the terms for returns. Usually you pay for the postage to send the shoes back, so careful where you order them from.​

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Our own London Dance Studio dance shop​

with some recommendations for starters and social dancers (children, tennagers and adults).

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Look for ballroom, latin, social dance or practice shoes on these following pages. Make sure you choose shoes with suede soles in case you order practice shoes.

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www.dancewearcentral.co.uk (the whole price range, free delivery in UK)

www.movedancewear.com (the whole price range, free returns in UK)

www.katz-dancewear.co.uk (budget price range)

www.supadance.com (high quality, high price range)

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The most inexpensive choices for Beginners and Social dancing are Jazz Shoes (but only with Full Suede Sole, rubber soles on your heels are no good for Ballroom), Greek sandal dance shoes and Canvas Oxford Shoes with suede sole. Look on our dance shop for Full Suede Sole Jazz Shoes or if your size is not available on the Katz website. We're happy to give advise. For children please always check with us first.

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London Dance Studio members>  and private students are eligable to discounts through our dance studio accounts with dancewearcentral (free delivery for the dance studio), movedancewear (free returns in UK for everybody) and Supadance.

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SHOPS

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• Duo Dance, 11 Half Moon Ln, London SE24 9JU, Phone 020 7274 4517 (Great choice of brands, fantastic customer service, call first to confirm opening times)

• Dancia International, 168 Drury Lane, London WC2B 5QA, in Central London, small choice (website>)

• Capezio, 33 Endell Street, London WC2H 9BA, in Central London, small choice  (website>)

• Freed of London, 94 St Martins Lane, London, WC2N 4AT, in Central London, big choice, high quality, high end range (website>)

• Supadance, 159 Queen's Rd, Buckhurst Hill IG9 5BA, huge choice, high quality, high end range (website>)

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Which dances do you teach?

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We teach Ballroom, Latin-American, Jive and some other dances. You need a dance, that's not on that list? Just ask us.

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Ballroom dances are:

• Slow Waltz

• Tango

• Quickstep

• Foxtrot

• Viennese Waltz

• Slow and Quick Rhythm Foxtrot

 

Latin dances are:

• Cha Cha Cha

• Samba

• Rumba

• Paso Doble

• Jive

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Other Latin dances are:

• Salsa

• Bachata

• Argentine Tango

• Bossa Nova

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​American Smooth dances we teach:

• Waltz (Smooth)

• Foxtrot (Smooth)

• Viennese Waltz (Smooth)

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Other dances include the following. But you can inquiry about any partner dance as we are very flexible and open:​

• Polka

• Quadrille (for Viennese Balls)

• Line-dances and Sequence dances

• Disco-Fox and Freestyle for clubbing or wedding first dances. 

 

​Do you prepare for Medal tests/competitions?

 

Yes, we prepare students regularly for Medal tests and competitions.

 

The Medal Tests are practical dance tests where the student is partnered by a teacher (or where two students who take lessons together partner each other) and is evaluated by a qualified examiner. The London Dance Studio is affiliated with the prestigious ISTD.  

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More details>

 

Once you have completed your first exam you could participate in Medal competitions where you will compete against students from other schools in your grade and age group.